IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-6-5-11044 Original Research Paper Mycoplasma pneumoniae lower respiratory tract infections among children Kumar Dr. Gulshan Rai Sethi Dr. May 2017 6 5 01 02 ABSTRACT

 Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M.pneumoniae) is a common pathogen in pediatric respiratory tract infections and is responsible for nearly 40% of community–acquired pneumonia in children. The present study was conducted to detect M.pneumoniae in children with lower respiratory tract infections. A total of 75 children aged 6 months to 12 years with clinically suspected acute lower respiratory tract infections (LTRIs) were selected for detection of M.pneumoniae by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and particle agglutination (PA) test. Our study showed higher prevalence of  M.pneumoniae in  children ≥5years of age  and  this was statistically significant (P=0.03). None of the clinical signs, symptoms and radiological findings were found to be associated with M.pneumoniae infection (P>0.05). ELISA/ PA test  together detected  M. pneumoniae infection in 23(30.7%) children. Our study underlines the role of M. pneumoniae in  children with LRTIs and more particularly  in ≥5 years of age.